The college-football journey of USF offensive tackle Donovan Jennings — bumpy, treacherous at times, often frustrating, but ultimately rewarding beyond words — has come full circle.

When Jennings arrived from Gaither High School in 2018, the Bulls were on the back end of a productive era that produced a fourth-straight bowl appearance in his freshman season.

And now, with the sixth-year veteran Jennings playing his final regular-season game as the Bulls (5-6, 3-4 American) take on the Charlotte 49ers (3-8, 2-5 American) on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium, USF's program is on the brink of a postseason return.

"It's like two different guys, two different Donovan's, back then and now,'' Jennings said. "Young Donovan didn't know what was going on. I didn't know how to manage my time. I didn't know how to do a lot of things.

"But now, I feel like I've been through a lot. And I'm a better person because of it. If we can win and get back to a bowl game to finish out my USF career, I couldn't imagine a better ending.''

First, though, Jennings must sort through the emotions of Senior Night (along with 14 other USF players who will participate in a special on-field send-off prior to kickoff).

"It's crazy and you never think it will actually come, especially in my predicament,'' Jennings said of his extended career, which included a COVID season and a 2022 injury that allowed him a sixth year. "I've been here six years and I think when I get on that field, I'm going to be a little starstruck, a little wide-eyed.

"I'm going to be taking it all in, soaking it all in — hopefully not for the last time. As soon as that ceremony is over, I've got to lock in and prepare for a game. But I'll eventually take it all in and absorb everything I've learned from this university. Playing in my hometown at Raymond James Stadium, it has been awesome. I wouldn't take anything back or change a thing.''

Not even the adversity.

Following his freshman year — which included a 7-0 start, top 25 rankings and a Gasparilla Bowl bid — Jennings endured four straight losing seasons, along with a broken leg in the fourth game of 2022 that separated him from longtime offensive-line buddies, Brad Cecil and Demetris Harris.

Jennings opted to return for a sixth year. When head coach Alex Golesh was hired, Jennings could have left for another school. Right through spring football, Jennings had transfer possibilities.

He stayed.

"Donovan has persevered,'' Golesh said. "He has seen a bunch of guys come and go. He's like the old grizzled vet and now all these new bodies are around him.

"A bunch of people tried to get him to leave here and go play somewhere else. But he just keeps pushing through. He has played better and better every week. You can see his emotion after the wins and the losses. I'm really proud of what he has done. The challenge for him now is to go finish.''

Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said he remembers meeting Jennings on one of his first days after being hired at USF. He saw a player coming off an injury, perhaps seeking some confidence, but also a great attitude and willingness to do whatever it took.

"He has played a lot of football and now he's being asked to learn another new system,'' Gordon said. "But what a solid team player he has been. He's a leader for the group and we need him to be that guy. We lean on him. You can tell USF football means a lot to him because of the way he competes and the way he handles himself.

"At the end of the day, Donovan decided to stay when maybe it wasn't a popular choice. He stuck it out. He's a guy who believed in us. He is completely bought-in with everything we're asking our guys to do. So, Donovan is at the foundation of this thing turning around. These young guys are always going to look up to him. And we're always going to hold Donovan in high regard for that.''

Saturday night, Jennings will play his 54th career USF game, tying the all-time record of former linebacker Dwayne Boyles — with an opportunity to sit atop the list by himself if a bowl game comes about.

Cecil and Harris, the longtime close associates of Jennings, have moved on. But Jennings said he relishes being the leader of a new group.

"It was a little tough at first, not having those familiar teammates around,'' Jennings said. "But I'm happy that I stayed because I got a whole new band of brothers. I get to help teach a whole new group — Mike Lofton, Zane Herring, Derek Bowman, Andrew Kilfoyl, Cole Best, Cole Skinner, R.J. Perry, all of those guys.''

Jennings acknowledged that his injury might have been a blessing in disguise. Academically, he already had earned his bachelor's degree and now he has a master's in entrepreneurship.

"It gave me the opportunity to connect with my teammates more, learn the game of football more and grow myself as a player,'' Jennings said. "It's really important for me to leave on a strong note with a great passion of purpose. This is a new USF and I'm happy to see it coming together.

"I had opportunities (to leave), but it was all about playing with my brothers and playing for someone I believe in. I wanted to set a foundation for years to come. I wanted to start and finish at one place. I think USF is my home.''

–#GoBulls–